Golf swing training brace

ABSTRACT

A brace intended to be worn upon the left arm of a right-handed golfer and upon the right arm of a left-handed golfer in a manner overlying the elbow to maintain the elbow rigid during the golf swing and thus preventing the golfer from bending the elbow, the brace including a longitudinally extending strip adapted to be placed lengthwise along the outside of the golfer&#39;&#39;s arm across the elbow and extending from a position above the elbow to a position below the elbow, the strip being curved transversely to conform to the arm of the golfer, a center section of the strip being cut out at the position at which the golfer&#39;&#39;s elbow would normally rest when the golfer&#39;&#39;s arm is straight in a manner to prevent injury or discomfort to the elbow of the golfer, a pair of longitudinally spaced apart sets of straps adapted to be wrapped about the arm of the golfer for fastening the strip to the arm, and the ends of each of the straps of each set of straps being provided with a self-closing tape type fastener such as manufactured under the trade name Velcro providing for complete adjustability of the strap to the golfer&#39;&#39;s arm in a rapid and expedient manner, such tape permitting the brace to be readily removed from the golfer&#39;&#39;s arm when not required for immediate usage.

United States Patent [191 McGonag le 5] Aug. 19, 1975 GOLF SWING TRAINING BRACE Hugh K. McGonagle, 1250 El Camino Real, Apt. 21 l, Millbrae, Calif. 94030 22 Filed: Feb. 27, 1974 21 Appl. No.:446,135

[76} lnventor:

Primary ExaminerGeorge J. Marlo [5 '7 ABSTRACT A brace intended to be worn upon the left arm of a right-handed golfer and -upon the right arm of a lefthanded golfer in a manner overlying the elbow to maintain the elbow rigid during the golf swing and thus preventing the golfer from bending the elbow, the brace including a longitudinally extending strip adapted to be placed lengthwise along the outside of the golfers arm across the elbow and extending from a position above the elbow to a position below the elbow, the strip being curved transversely to conform to the arm of the golfer, a center section of the strip being cut out at the position at which the golfers elbow would normally rest when the golfers arm is straight in a manner to prevent injury or discomfort to the elbow of the golfer, a pair of longitudinally spaced apart sets of straps adapted to be Wrapped about the arm of the golfer for fastening the strip to the arm, and the ends of each of the straps of each set of straps being provided with a self-closing tape type fastener such as manufactured under the trade name Velcro providing for complete adjustability of the strap to the golfers arm in a rapid and expedient manner, such tape permitting the brace to be readily removed from the golfers arm when not required for immediate usage.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures 1 GOLF SWING TRAINING BRACE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the game of golf and accessories for the play thereof, and more particularly to a novel golf swing training brace to prevent the golfer from bending the elbow of his lead arm during the golf swing thus retaining the lead arm straight during the entire swing thereby promoting increased accuracy of striking the golf ball.

2. Description of the Prior Art The game of golf is among one of the most popular sports in the country today as any individual may participate in the same despite most physical handicaps or any lack of athletic prowess, with inexperienced individuals being able to play against more experienced individuals while fully enjoying the game due to the use of handicaps and the like.

However, one of the most commonly encountered problems by golf players in the swinging of a golf club is that of the golfer having to keep his lead arm straight during the entire swing as the bending of the golfers lead arm causes the golfer to lose full control of the golf club thus resulting in erratic shots which is obviously undesirable. It is generally known that experienced golfers maintain a straight lead arm while performing their back swing and down swing for wood shots and long iron shots, and it is accordingly the aim of most golfers, both beginners and those more experienced, to attempt also to utilize a straight lead arm in an effort to perfect their golf swing. It has been found, that most golf players develop a tendency to bend the lead arm at or about the moment the golf ball is struck, thus preventing the clubhead of the golf club from traveling in the exact direction of the line of flight in which the ball is to be projected, this thus rendering the direction uncertain and making it impossible for the golf player to attain the accuracy and precision of stroke and smooth follow-through which are necessary to the successful play of the game of golf.

The faults resulting from a golf players bending the elbow of the lead arm may become manifest in a number of ways, for example, in the common fault of drawing the club-head across the surface of the ball at the moment of impact, thus imparting a side twist or slice to the ball and deflecting the ball from the direction in which it is intended to go and also causing a loss of distance by reason of the curved line of flight of the golf ball. A further example is found in the fault of a lifting of the club-head at the moment of impact thus resulting in a topping of the golf ball and again adversely affecting the desired flight of the golf ball.

Although it may be possible for a beginner golfer to observe his lead arm throughout a portion of his back swing, it is not possible for the golfer to do so when the club approaches the top of the swing or at any time in the down swing without adversely affecting other portions of the golfers body. Thus, golfers always attempt to hold their lead arm elbow in a straight line during the full golf swing, but may not always do so and, in the case of the beginner, may also be generally unaware that they are bending their lead arm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the plight of the golf player in trying to hold the elbow of their lead arm in a straight line during the full golf swing for an accurate and desirable striking of the golf ball, and provides a novel solution thereto in the form of a brace adapted to be worn on the'lcad arm of the golfer in a manner straddling the elbow to prevent the golfer from bending the elbow thus retaining the lead arm in a straight line during the full golf swing.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a brace for retaining a golfers lead arm in a straight position during the full golf swing, the brace intended to be worn upon the lead left arm of a right-handed golfer and upon the lead right arm of a left-handed golfer.

A further feature of the present invention provides a golf swing training brace which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods.

A further feature of the present invention provides a golf swing training brace which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation and which prevents the golf player from bending the elbow of his lead arm in a manner to promote increased acuracy and control of the golf club in its striking of the golf ball.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a golf swing training brace which is possessed of few parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a golf swing training brace which is rugged and durable and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of intended usage; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; one which can be retailed at a sufficiently low price to encourage its widespread use; one which may be rapidly and easily attached to and detached from the arm of the golfer; and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a right-handed golfer having the brace of the present invention mounted on his lead left arm about the elbow thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the training brace of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the training brace with the straps omitted for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the training brace of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a top end view of the training brace in its intended position about the arm of an individual and with the strap shown in the open position in solid configuration and shown in the closed position in phantom configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a golf swing training brace device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral and which is comprised of a body member 11 and four straps 12.

The body member 11 may be manufactured out of metal, wood, hard rubber, plastic, or any other suitable satisfactory material which is of a rigid nature, the preferred embodiment being manufactured of high density polyethylene plastic or nylon which may be provided in a multitude of colors and designs. The straps 12 may be of a resilient plastic material or, alternatively, may be of non-stretchable material with the main requirement that they are sufficiently flexible to be wrapped about the arm of an individual as will be later described.

The body member 11 is formed of a substantially flat material having a longitudinal shape generally oblong in configuration and bowed in the central portion thereof with the top end 21 and bottom end 22 thereof cut off in a manner extending parallel to each other and substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the body member, and with the opposite side edges 23 and 24 being of a slightly curved configuration interconnecting the ends 21 and 22. The body member 11 is curved transversely to define an arcuate cross-section, the curve thereof conforming generally to the arm of an intended user when the arm is in a straight unbent position. A triangularly shaped aperture 25 is provided in the central portion of body member 11 with the apex 26 thereof disposed along the longitudinal axis of the body member and pointing in the direction of bottom end 22, the aperture adapted to receive therein the elbow of a golfer's arm in a manner to prevent injury or discomfort to the elbow when the brace 10 is secured to the arm of the golfer.

Spaced inwardly of top end 21 and also spaced inwardly of bottom end 22 are slots 31 each disposed along an associated edge 23 or 24 of the body member and each adapted to receive therein one end 32 of an associated strap 12 in a manner to affix the associated strapto the body member. Each of the straps 12 project outwardly of associated edges of the body member in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the body member, each strap including a flexible strip portion 33 which may be either elastic or nonelastic with each strip portion terminating in terminal end 34 of the strap. While various means are contemplated for securing the terminal end portions of adjacent straps 12 to each other in a position wrapped about the arm of the individual, a preferred means consists of two counterpart patches or strips 41 and 42 of a self-closing tape fastener, strip 41 being mounted on a bottom surface of strip portion 33 adjacent terminal end 34 with the complementary strip 42 of the adjacent strap 12 mounted on the top surface of the associated strip portion 33 adjacent terminal end 34 so that when the straps 12 encircle the arm of an individual, tape strip 41 will overlie a portion of tape strip 42 for se curement thereto. It is to be understood that tape strips 41 and 42 are secured to straps 12 by being suitably bonded or sewn thereto in a conventional manner. Tape fasteners of the type disclosed herein are manufactured and sold by Scovill Manufacturing Company of Cleveland, Ohio under the trade name Velcro.

For purposes of description, reference is made to the Velcro type of hook and loop fasteners such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,717,437; 3,009,235; and 3,431,605, with reference being directed to such Pa tents for a full understanding of the nature of the fastener strips 41 and 42. For purposes of description herein it is deemed sufficient to state that the fastener strips 41 and 42 include separable members each comprising a base having raised hooking elements in generally loop form wherein the hooking elements of one tape member are cut at their outer extremetics to form books with the hooking elements of the other tape member remaining uncut loops. It is also contemplated that any given tape member 41 or 42 may comprise both hooks and loops thereon in combination. It is characteristic of this type of tape fastener that when the two members of the fastener are pressed together in face-to-face relationship, there is substantial engagement of hook threads with loop threads and a considerable effort must be applied to separate the members unless they are peeled apart. By peeling, however, the members may be separated quite easily.

It is to be understood that the tape fastener members 41 and 42 are infinitely adjustable, one on the other, and when they are pressed together they remain firmly secured to each other while being readily separated by the simple expedient of peeling them apart.

in operation, and to accomplish the desired result, the golfer 40 which, for purposes of illustration is shown as a right-handed golfer, places body member 11 along the outside of his lead left arm 41 in a position overlying the elbow 42 of the arm and opposite the elbow inner joint thereof such that the elbow is received in aperture 25 with the body member 11 extending lengthwise of the arm from a position above to a position below the elbow, after which the golfer wraps the straps 12 about the arm to secure the brace 10 to the arm to prevent the golfer from bending the elbow 42 of the lead left arm 41 such that the arm is kept rigid and unbent during the full swing of the golf club promoting increased accuracy of the golfer in striking the golf ball 45.

As seen in FIG. 5 the brace 10 is illustrated in solid configuration relative to the golfers arm 41, with the phantom line configuration of the straps 12 illustrating the closed position of the straps wrapped about the arm of the golfer to secure the brace in position on the arm.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A golf swing training brace device intended for use by golfers for discipline and training for playing the game of golf, the device being directed to retention of the arm of the golfer in a straight, unbent line during the full golf swing, the device comprising:

a latitudinally elongated body member formed of substantially flat material and adapted to extend length-wise along the outside of the arm of the user across the elbow thereof from a position above the elbow to a position below the elbow to prevent bending of the elbow during the golf swing, said body member being curved transversely along the entire length thereof to conform to the arm of the user, the body member being of a substantially oblong configuration having confronting oppositely slightly curved side edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge, the top edge extending substantially parallel to the bottom edge with both the top and bottom edges extending substantially normal to the latitudinal access of said body member, a pair of slots disposed inwardly of said top edge and a slot disposed adjacent to each side edge, a second pair of slots disposed inwardly of said bottom edge with each slot disposed adjacent to an associated side edge, the body member being at least 12 inches in length and transversely curved throughout its entire length;

an aperture disposed in the central portion of said body member and extending therethrough and strap means affixed to said body member and extending outwardly from opposite sides thereof and adapted to secure the opposite ends of said body member, respectively, about the arm of the user above and below the elbow joint of the arm. 

1. A golf swing training brace device intended for use by golfers for discipline and training for playing the game of golf, the device being directed to retention of the arm of the golfer in a straight, unbent line during the full golf swing, the device comprising: a latitudinally elongated body member formed of substantially flat material and adapted to extend length-wise along the outside of the arm of the user across the elbow thereof from a position above the elbow to a position below the elbow to prevent bending of the elbow during the golf swing, said body member being curved transversely along the entire length thereof to conform to the arm of the user, the body member being of a substantially oblong configuration having confronting oppositely slightly curved side edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge, the top edge extending substantially parallel to the bottom edge with both the top and bottom edges extending substantially normal to the latitudinal access of said body member, a pair of slots disposed inwardly of said top edge and a slot disposed adjacent to each side edge, a second pair of slots disposed inwardly of said bottom edge with each slot disposed adjacent to an associated side edge, the body member being at least 12 inches in length and transversely curved throughout its entire length; an aperture disposed in the central portion of said body member and extending there-through and adapted to receive tHerein the elbow of the user when the arm is in a straight position to prevent injury or discomfort to the elbow of the user, said aperture defined in the central portion of said body member and being of a generally triangular configuration disposed symmetrically along the latitudinal access of said body member with the apex portion thereof lying substantially on said latitudinal access and pointing in the direction of the bottom edge of said body member; and strap means affixed to said body member and extending outwardly from opposite sides thereof and adapted to secure the opposite ends of said body member, respectively, about the arm of the user above and below the elbow joint of the arm. 